Hotel Review: Hilton Hotel at Lake Buena Vista: The Best for Less Near Disney World

We recently returned from a wonderful Disney World vacation in Orlando and stayed at a hotel I would recommend highly to anyone who, for some reason, doesn't want to stay in one of the many Disney resorts but does want some of the same amenities they offer their hotel guests, such as early arrival times at the parks and free transportation to and from those parks...

The Hilton at Lake Buena Vista, fills such a bill and has the advantage of being right across the street from Downtown Disney....if you need anything with the Disney name or theme you will find it there and so convenient ...you can buy whatever Disney trinkets and souvenirs you want without having to carry them around through the parks. It's also nice that the hotel is so near the nightlife and restaurants that are available at Downtown Disney.... they also provide transportation should your feet or legs hurt after a day at the park

We were very impressed by the quick check-in and friendly staff...all throughout the hotel we found the people who work there were very friendly and helpful. Well, except for the annoying person we passed often who wanted to sell us a Hilton timeshare...

This was our fourth time at this hotel and we expected to be given a standard King room which we reserved since we have found them to be a good size with all the amenities we had had in the past, but, for some reason, we were upgraded to a mini suite on the concierge floor, we didn't complain!...

This room was really special...it had two double beds, with that most comfortable heavenly bed and linens most good hotels have these days...perfect for falling into after a long day in the park...separate lights above each bed was nice for reading without disturbing your partner. We had asked for a king bed but they weren't available. Maybe that's why they gave us the mini-suite.

On the other side of this very spacious room was a sofa with a pull out bed especially useful if your party was bigger than two...my daughter had the same room and her kiddies slept very comfortably in that bed...there was also a big easy chair with an ottoman...there was a big desk with a lamp and phone and internet connection, should you need that, was available.

On one wall was an armoire with the TV on one side where a few drawers for your clothing was located and, on the other side, there was a mini bar. They offered a bottle of water for $4.00 which was on the top of the unit but we had brought our own in a cooler...I'd rather spend my money elsewhere! Though they did give us 2 small complimentary waters and little bottles of Liqueur along with some chocolates... that was a nice surprise waiting for us.

There was a little dressing/vanity area with a hair dryer and coffee machine that actually had pretty good coffee, the vanity was granite and very nice....there was a large closet with complementary robes and a safe, but they charged for the safe...the bathroom was basic, but clean and had good water pressure in the shower...One thing I love about Hiltons are the terrific toiletries they put out for you by Le Source made by Crabtree and Evelyn, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion...I used the body wash for bubble bath to soak my aching body upon our return to the room each afternoon or evening...I even got some extra bottles from the maid who kept our room sparkling clean.

This hotel has recently undergone a renovation so everything felt clean and smelled fresh, the colors of the room were neutral, yellows and beiges with light woods, soothing and comfortable...did I mentionthe beds were marvelous?? Yes, they were, all made up in soft linens with down pillows and quilts...I slept like a baby...if you have an allergy to down, they offer an alternative. The double wall to wall drapes were heavy and kept out all noise and light completely...opened, they revealed a really nice view we had of Downtown Disney though we were told we could see the fireworks going on in Magic Kingdom from our room which turned out not to be true... unless perhaps, we looked for them at the wrong time.

One thing that was not to my liking was the fact that each morning we woke up to the smell of coffee brewing from the concierge dining room one floor below, since I use my coffee maker as my alarm clock at home ,setting the machine the night before to wake me up...so this was a bit uninvited...though we did have use of that room for complimentary breakfast and snacks which was a nice bonus...my hubby went down to bring me coffee each morning as I got ready for the day...They served continental breakfasts which were well received by the guests, offering bagels, cereal, muffins, fresh fruit and your choice of coffee, cappuccino, hot chocolate or tea...also cookies juices and milk for the kiddies. A very welcomed added bonus for our stay. On the afternoon of our arrival we went in to find nice little canapés and appetizers prepared for the guests along with wine and cocktails...there was a charge for the drinks though.

The prices of the room are usually about$165 to $185 for a standard room, but we were supposed to pay a special rate of $129.00 a night, but instead we paid that for the concierge floor which I know goes for at least a hundred dollars more regularly ...I still don't know why we were upgraded but our daughter was too and neither one of us complained.

There are three restaurants on the premises, one, an Italian restaurant we had enjoyed on a previous visit, another was a large restaurant with a big menu of classic American style food where we had our character breakfast one morning,...what fun that was and a delicious buffet was set up with anything you could possibly want for that all important first meal of the day...

They also have a nice little coffee and snack bar/ café with delicious pastries sandwiches, drinks and other goodies you can bring to your room if you choose to do that...room service was available with a complete menu.

A very well appointed bar with television sets is also on the premises for all who would like a bit of alcoholic refreshments as they rest in one of the comfortable seats that were strategically placed to see those TV's...my son-in-law enjoyed checking out the scores of the games he was interested in while having a bit of a refreshment upon returning from the park.

Parking was $12 for valet but they have a self parking lot also...we self parked though we did hear that next year they were going to charge for that.

They have a really lovely swimming pool area with a Jacuzzi to the side of the pool, the water is always pleasantly clean and there is a fitness club with good maintained equipment though I've only been in there once on a previous visit...I prefer to save my energy for walking the parks.

Also on the premises is small gift shop crammed with merchandise, selling everything Disney, in case you need something at the last minute which happened to me...the prices were the same as in the parks and the stores in Downtown Disney, but of course, not the same varied selection...

All in all, we have enjoyed our stays very much at this Hilton at Lake Buena Vista, the convenience is terrific to all the parks as well as Downtown Disney, the rooms are very well maintained as is the whole hotel and with each visit we say we will return, and I'm sure we will again.